How we rank: Google rating, weighted so a 5.0 from six reviews doesn't outrank a 4.9 from a thousand. Schools can't pay to move up this list; a paid placement is labelled as one. Listings that share a phone number or website are marked as the same team.
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// Packing list
Most schools provide the board and wetsuit, so you can arrive with very little. These are the small things worth packing.
We may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend gear we'd ride ourselves.
Rash guard (UV surf shirt)
Stops the wetsuit and board rubbing your chest raw, and covers your shoulders if the water is warm enough to skip the wetsuit.
See options on Amazon →Mineral (zinc) sunscreen
You will spend a couple of hours on open water. Zinc stays on your face better than spray and is easier on the reef.
See options on Amazon →Changing poncho or hooded towel
Gets you out of a wet wetsuit in a beach parking lot without the towel dance.
See options on Amazon →Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
Keeps your phone, keys and car fob dry and sand-free while you are in the water.
See options on Amazon →Reef booties or water shoes
Only where the entry is rocky or reefy. Sandy beaches rarely need them, so ask the school first.
See options on Amazon →Surf hat with a chin strap
Shades your face during the beach briefing and in the water; the strap keeps it on when you fall off.
See options on Amazon →Full checklist, including what to leave at home: What to bring to surf lessons
Seasonal averages for Hawaii — not a live surf report for this beach. Hawaii surf seasons in full
// 16 Surf schools listed
Local instructors, real reviews, and how to reach each school direct.
Highest rated
Maui Surf Lessons LLC5.0 from 442 reviews
Most reviewed
Maui Waveriders465 Google reviews
Lowest published group price
Maui Beach Boysfrom $75 per person
// The Lineup
Ranked by rating confidence — review volume counts, not just the score.
// Free Surf Guide
The Beginner's Surf Guide
Wave basics, gear checklist, lesson tips — all free, delivered instantly.
16 schools on the map
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// The price check
Based on prices published by 12 of 16 schools · checked October 2026
The other 4 don't list prices on their websites, so they are not in these figures. Rates change with season, group size and what's included. Confirm with the school before you book.
What the schools say about their lessons
From each school's own website. Schools that don't say aren't counted as a no; confirm when you book.
// Side by side
| School | Rating | Group | Private | Kids | Lesson | Phone | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maui Waveriders | 4.9 (465) | Price not published, ask the school | $105/lesson | $105/lesson | ages 4+Board + wetsuit included | +1 808-875-4761 | Book Maui Waveriders on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Maui Surf Lessons LLC | 5.0 (442) | $100/person | $150/lesson | $100/person | ages 8+Board + wetsuit included | +1 808-442-7252 | Book Maui Surf Lessons LLC on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Maui Beach Boys | 5.0 (395) | $75–$85/person | $199/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours | +1 808-283-7114 | Book Maui Beach Boys on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Surf Club Maui - surfing school | 5.0 (371) | Price not published, ask the school | Price not published, ask the school | Price not published, ask the school | —Not stated | +1 808-283-7913 | — |
| Maui Surf and Sup | 5.0 (282) | $125/person | $185/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 1.5 hours | +1 808-268-8033 | Book Maui Surf and Sup on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Surf Shack Maui | 4.8 (146) | $88/person | $200/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours · maximum group size of 6 | +1 808-875-0006 | Book Surf Shack Maui on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Surf Yoga Maui | 5.0 (146) | $99/person | $225/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours · At least 1 peopleBoard + wetsuit included | +1 808-264-9136 | Book Surf Yoga Maui on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Big Kahuna Adventures | 4.7 (78) | $95/person | $175–$275/lesson | $175/lesson | —Not stated | +1 808-283-9749 | — |
| Surf Shack | 4.8 (45) | $88/person | $200/lesson | Price not published, ask the school | 2 hours · maximum group size of 6 · ages 5+ | +1 808-875-0006 | Book Surf Shack on their website (opens in a new tab) |
| Complete Kite Boarding, Foiling, Winging and Surfing Lessons Maui, Hi. | 5.0 (27) | Price not published, ask the school | $100/hr | Price not published, ask the school | 2–3 hoursBoard + wetsuit included | +1 808-250-6922 | — |
Ask = not published on the school's website, so call or message to get a quote. Prices are the lowest each school lists. Lesson details are what each school states on its own website; a dash means not stated.
// Know before you book
Group lessons are the usual starting point: they cost less per person, and you share an instructor with typically 4 to 8 other students. Private lessons give you one-on-one attention and a faster start, which suits nervous beginners, anyone short on time, or surfers working on a specific skill, at a higher price per person. Semi-private sits in between, for two to three people who want to learn together. Class size and what is included vary by school, so confirm when you book.
You share an instructor with other students, typically 4 to 8 per instructor, for around 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Best for: First-timers on a budget and anyone who likes learning alongside others.
Published by Maui Beach Boys: “2 hours, MUST HAVE FOUR OR MORE STUDENTS FOR GROUP LESSONS”
A small group of two to three people with one instructor, often friends or family booking together.
Best for: Couples, friends and families who want more attention than a group without the private price.
Published by Maui Surf and Sup: “Small Group Private Lesson: 2-4 people, 1 hour 30 minutes”
One instructor, one student (or one family). The pace and focus are yours to set.
Best for: Nervous beginners, short trips, and surfers working on a specific skill.
Published by Maui Waveriders: “Private surf lesson in Kihei, 2 hours.”
Lessons run for younger surfers, usually in smaller groups with a lower instructor-to-student ratio. Minimum ages vary by school.
Best for: Children and teens. Ask the school about age limits and whether parents can stay on the beach.
Published by Maui Waveriders: “Kids surf lesson in Kihei, ages 4+.”
Multi-day programs, from a few days to a week or more, mixing lessons, practice sessions and surf theory.
Best for: Visitors staying a while and anyone who wants to progress past the first stand-up.
Board and wetsuit are usually included in a lesson price. Confirm when booking, because policies differ between schools. In Kihei, 6 of 16 schools say board and wetsuit are included on their own websites.
// The Local Report
Kihei is on Maui's south shore. A lesson with a local school is the safest way to start: an instructor chooses where to go based on that day's swell, tide and wind.
Maui County rules don't allow commercial ocean recreation, surf lessons included, at Cove Park, at Kamaole Beach Parks I, II and III, or at the southern end of Kalama Park next to Cove Park. For fiscal year 2026 the county lists surf-lesson permits at the north end of Kalama Beach Park, at Ukumehame Beach Park and at Wailea Beach Park. Permitted lessons need at least one instructor for every six students, no more than 14 people per permit, and don't run on Sundays or holidays. None of those three permitted lesson beaches is on the county's list of lifeguarded beaches (its south-side lifeguards are at Kamaole I, II and III), so ask your school how it keeps students inside a safe area.
Summer is not the easy season here. Hawaii Ocean Safety says large swells can arrive frequently on south shores in summer (May to October), while winter is typically flat to small on this side. Conditions still change day to day. Check the National Weather Service Honolulu surf forecast (weather.gov/hfo), and ask the lifeguard on duty or your school before going in.
Hawaii Ocean Safety's advice applies to every session: swim near a lifeguard and check with them about conditions first; watch for sharp rocks, coral and sea creatures on the ocean floor; remember that even gentle, shallow water can quickly become powerful; and don't dive in headfirst where you haven't checked the depth. Tell your instructor honestly how well you swim.
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Ryan for his excellent, patient instruction, professionalism, and incorporation of Hawaiian culture, leading to fun and successful surfing experiences for all ages and skill levels.
Group lessons from
$100/person
Group lessons · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers rave about the friendly and patient instructors, especially Eddie and Eric, who quickly get kids of all ages surfing and enjoying memorable experiences with sea turtles.
Group lessons from
$75/person
Group lessons · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the friendly and competent instructors who provide an awesome and unforgettable surfing experience, leading to skill improvement and a desire to return.
Pricing
Not published on their website. Call or message to ask.
Group lessons · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Kainalu for providing fun, professional, and encouraging surf lessons that enable even beginners to successfully ride waves.
Group lessons from
$125/person
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Eddie and his team for their attentive, accommodating, and professional instruction, ensuring memorable and enjoyable surfing experiences for families and individuals of all ages.
Group lessons from
$99/person
Gear included · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Troy's patient, friendly, and thorough instruction, along with the high-quality gear and focus on safety, which enables them to quickly progress in wing foiling and kitesurfing.
Private lessons from
$100/hr
Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers rave about the unforgettable surfing experience with James and Church, highlighting Church's incredible surfing skills and James's ability to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment.
Pricing
Not published on their website. Call or message to ask.
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Greg for his exceptional knowledge, clear instruction, and encouraging approach, enabling them to quickly learn and enjoy surfing, often standing up on their first attempt.
Group lessons from
$129/person
Gear included · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the instructors for their kindness, patience, and effective teaching methods, enabling both children and adults to quickly learn to surf and have a fun, successful experience.
Private lessons from
$105/lesson
Gear included · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise Keoki and his crew for providing fun, easy-to-learn surf lessons with clear instructions, making them feel comfortable and confident, and ensuring a memorable experience for all ages.
Group lessons from
$99/person
Same team also listed as Surf Shack
Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the kind, experienced instructors and fun atmosphere at Surf Shack Maui, which helped them successfully learn to surf and ride waves.
Group lessons from
$88/person
Same team as Surf Shack Maui
Private lessons · Group lessons · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the instructors, especially Mike and Camila, for their friendly, helpful, and patient guidance, which enables even beginners to successfully surf and enjoy the experience.
Group lessons from
$88/person
Pricing
Not published on their website. Call or message to ask.
Private lessons
Pricing
Not published on their website. Call or message to ask.
Group lessons · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers rave about the exceptional surfing lessons, highlighting the knowledgeable and friendly staff, patient instructors, ideal beginner-friendly location, and memorable photo packages capturing the joyful experience.
Group lessons from
$95/person
Group lessons · Kids welcome · Beginner friendly
Auto-summary of reviews
Customers consistently praise the friendly, knowledgeable staff and excellent instruction, resulting in memorable and enjoyable surfing and canoe experiences.
Group lessons from
$130/person
